Autoimmunity, immunologic tolerance, and gene therapy.
Research in our laboratory focuses on three major themes: 1. Costimulation and cell death in autoimmunity. 2. Molecular mechanisms of immunologic tolerance. 3. Gene therapy of autoimmune diseases. We have performed a large series of experiments using T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice examining mechanisms of autoimmunity and peripheral T cell tolerance. A major focus of our current research is to understand the roles of costimulation and cell death in T cell tolerance and T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This involves studies of the TCR, the costimulatory molecules, and the cytokines. We are also exploring novel strategies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by gene transfer.
Chen
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Institute for Human Gene Therapy, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell